What is fiber optic cable?

Fiber optic cable, also known as optical cable, is a type of network cable that uses light pulses rather than electrical pulses to transmit data. Unlike traditional copper cables (such as Ethernet cables), the core of fiber optic cable is made of glass or plastic, enabling it to transmit large amounts of data at nearly the speed of light, resulting in faster and more stable network connections.

Fiber optic cable's efficient data transmission stems from the principle of total internal reflection. When a light signal enters the fiber at one end, it repeatedly reflects off the fiber's walls, continuing to propagate until it reaches the other end. This unique transmission method makes fiber optic cable virtually immune to electromagnetic interference and offers extremely low signal attenuation, making it ideal for long-distance, high-bandwidth data transmission.

Types of Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic cable is primarily divided into two types: single-mode fiber and multimode fiber. Their core difference lies in the number of modes in which the light signal propagates within the fiber.

Single-Mode Fiber Cable (SMF)

Single-mode fiber (SMF) has an extremely small core diameter, typically 9 microns. Because the fiber core has a small diameter, light signals can only propagate in one mode (or path). This minimizes signal distortion and allows for long transmission distances. Single-mode fiber cables are commonly used for long-distance data transmission, such as submarine cables connecting cities, countries, and even across oceans.

Multimode Fiber Cable (MMF)

Multimode fiber (MMF) has a relatively large core diameter, typically 50 or 62.5 microns. This larger core allows light signals to propagate in multiple modes (or paths). While this reduces the transmission distance of multimode fiber, its lower cost makes it suitable for short-distance applications such as local area networks (LANs) or data centers.

Fiber Optic Cable Connectors

To connect fiber optic cables to network equipment, various types of fiber optic connectors are required. These connectors precisely align the fibers and ensure stable transmission of light signals. Common fiber optic cable connectors include:

• SC connectors: Square, snap-on design for easy insertion and removal, widely used in telecommunications and data communications.
  
  
• LC connectors: Small, snap-on connectors with high density and compact size, commonly used in high-density cabling environments such as data centers.
  
  
• FC connector: A threaded connector with a firm and reliable connection, often used to connect equipment in vibrating environments.